PITTSBURGH (August 11, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (5-8-9) return to Harrisburg for the second and final time this regular season, looking to recapture the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, against the City Islanders (6-11-6) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12 at FNB Field.
These two clubs have already met twice this season with the Hounds holding a 1-0-1 record against their in-state rival. Pittsburgh needs a win or draw to secure the Keystone Cup for the second time in the three years of the Cup’s existence.
Since its inception in 2015, the Keystone Derby has provided plenty of entertainment, particularly in its first season, where the clubs combined for 28 goals across four matches. In the ensuing two seasons, the goal-scoring well has dried up considerably with only six goals being produced in five matches, including two scoreless draws. Only the City Islanders have tallied multiple goals in a single game during this stretch – a 2-1 victory in July of 2016 that proved to be the deciding factor in Harrisburg capturing the Cup.
If tomorrow night sticks to the script, Corey Hertzog’s goal in the 75th minute of the first meeting between the two clubs in April – the only goal scored in the head-to-head series so far this season – may prove to be the difference for the Hounds’ Cup chances. Add in the fact that Harrisburg has not scored a goal in four straight and the idea might not seem so far-fetched.
One factor to keep an eye on though is a bulk of the City Islanders’ success this season has come at home, where they are 4-2-4 at FNB Field. Both teams are tied for points in the Eastern Conference as well at 24 – only three out of a playoff spot – meaning, along with in-state bragging rights, this weekend’s tilt holds massive implications on potential postseason aspirations.
Fans can catch all of this Saturday’s action via USL Match Center or watch the stream live on YouTube. Further details on the game can be found below.
WHO
Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Harrisburg City Islanders
WHEN
7 p.m. on Saturday, August 12
WHERE
FNB Field
WATCH
FOLLOW
Twitter: @PghRiverhounds – #HARvPGH | #KeystoneDerby | #UNLEASH
Harrisburg overall record: 6-11-6
Harrisburg home record: 4-2-4
STREAK: L2
Pittsburgh overall record: 5-8-9
Pittsburgh away record: 2-3-6
STREAK: T1
Rich Balchan – Out for Season (Achilles)
Keasel Broome – Out for Season (Wrist)
Mike Green – Questionable (Hip)
Marshall Hollingsworth – Questionable (Knee)
May 24, 2017, at FNB Field
Pittsburgh 0, Harrisburg 0
April 29, 2017, at Highmark Stadium
Pittsburgh 1, Harrisburg 0
Scoring Summary
PGH – Corey Hertzog 75’ (Kevin Kerr)
Pittsburgh
Goals: Corey Hertzog (7)
Assists: Kevin Kerr (3)
Points: Corey Hertzog (16)
Saves: Trey Mitchell (39)
Save %: Trey Mitchell (.727)
GAA: Trey Mitchell (1.00)
Harrisburg
Goals: Paul Wilson (3)
Assists: James Thomas (3)
Points: Paul Wilson and Pedro Ribeiro (6)
Saves: Brandon Miller (49)
Save %: Sean Lewis (.765)
GAA: Brandon Miller (1.16)
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh 1, Richmond 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
RIC – Raul Gonzalez 65’ (Yudai Imura)
PGH – Stephen Okai 82’ (Victor Souto)
LINEUP:
Trey Mitchell – Taylor Washington, Jamal Jack, Tobi Adewole, Marshall Hollingsworth – Jack Thompson (Romeo Parkes 45’), Danny Earls (Victor Souto 68’), Stephen Okai, Kevin Kerr – Chevaughn Walsh, Corey Hertzog
Harrisburg
Rochester 1, Harrisburg 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
ROC – Darius Madison 25’ (Wal Fall)
LINEUP:
Brandon Miller – Tiago Calvano (Lee Nishanian 87’), Shawn McLaws, Abass Mohammed, Travis Brent – James Thomas (Frederick Opoku 79’), Paul Wilson, Jonathan Mendoza, Rasheed Olabiyi, John Grosh (Danny DiPrima 70’) – Ropapa Mensah
